India Moves to Halt Auction of Sacred Piprahwa Relics in Hong Kong

New Delhi: In a swift and determined response, the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, has taken comprehensive action to prevent the proposed auction of the sacred Piprahwa Relics by Sotheby’s Hong Kong, reaffirming India’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding its cultural and religious heritage.

The relics, which were excavated from the Piprahwa Stupa—widely believed to be part of the ancient city of Kapilavastu, the birthplace of Lord Buddha—include bone fragments, soapstone and crystal caskets, a sandstone coffer, and ornamental offerings of gold and gemstones. Their profound historical and spiritual value stems from a Brahmi inscription identifying the contents as relics of the Buddha, deposited by the Sakya clan.

Most of these sacred objects were moved to the Indian Museum in Kolkata in 1899 and are classified as ‘AA’ antiquities under Indian law, prohibiting their sale or transfer. However, a portion retained by the descendants of British excavator William Claxton Peppé has reportedly been listed for auction.

Upon learning of this development, the Ministry of Culture undertook several urgent measures:

• A legal notice was served to Sotheby’s Hong Kong, demanding the immediate suspension of the auction.
• The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) contacted the Consulate General in Hong Kong to formally raise the issue with local authorities.
• During a bilateral meeting on May 2, Union Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat personally took up the matter with Rt Hon Lisa Nandy, the UK Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, urging intervention to halt the auction and facilitate the relics’ return.
• On May 5, the Secretary of Culture convened a high-level review to chart further steps, including coordination with the Ministry of External Affairs to engage with embassies in the UK and Hong Kong.
• The Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) has also been instructed to liaise with its Hong Kong counterpart to ensure international legal compliance and emphasize the illegality of the sale.

In response to India’s legal intervention, Ivy Wong, Associate General Counsel at Sotheby’s, confirmed that the auction house is giving “full attention” to the matter.

The Ministry has reiterated its firm stance on the repatriation of the Piprahwa Relics, urging Sotheby’s to immediately withdraw the artifacts from sale and cooperate in ensuring their safe return to India.

“This is not just about antiquities—it is about the spiritual and cultural identity of a nation. These sacred relics belong to humanity and must be treated with reverence, not auctioned for profit,” said a senior Culture Ministry official.